Archive for November, 2011
November 30th, 2011 -- Posted in Christmas Gifts 2011, giveaway, product reviews, sweepstakes and contests |
Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland
My family tells me I’m a very difficult person to buy a gift for. *shrugs* Frankly, I don’t think so, and our newest sponsor Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, didn’t think so either. They had me pegged from the get go!
They sent me two of the cutest ornaments EVER to hang on my tree and tell you about here today!
Now everyone who has followed my blog for any length of time knows I love my garden…and my favorite things to grow? TOMATOES! It’s not unusual to find 20 or 25 varieties of heirloom tomatoes in my big spring garden. I also grow several varieties of cucumbers – for slicing, pickling and a couple just for the novelty.
The great folks at Bronners CHRISTmas Wonderland sent me a beautiful tomato ornament and the cutest little cucumber slice you ever did see! They are hanging, as I type, in a place of honor, front and center, on my tree!
“You say to-may-to, we say to-mah-to, either way this ornament is full of flavor you can’t deny! Marvelously formed from glass, this 2½” tall ornament depicts a ripe, on-the-vine tomato variety with fresh and organic appeal while subtle glittering accents add a playful touch of whimsy. A perfect gift for your tomato enthusiast, this keepsake comes ready to hang with a gold cord.”
“Savor a slice of summer with our deliciously designed cucumber ornament! This life-like cucumber slice glass ornament features a textured dark green outer skin and a light green colored glazed center, including tiny seeds. Measuring 1¾” tall and proudly handcrafted in Poland, our cucumber slice glass ornament will make a nutritious addition to your Christmas tree any way you slice it!”
The quality of these ornaments is wonderful. They remind me of the old world glass ormaments my grandma used to hang on her tree – totally unlike the mass produced wimpy little ornaments you find all over the place these days. These are sturdy, but lightweight, and the depth of color is wonderful – I wish I could capture it on film accurately so you could really see how gorgeous they are!
Bronners has a huge inventory in their massive one and a half football field sized brick and mortar store in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and for those of us not fortunate enough to live within driving distance, they have the same wonderful products for you to purchase online too!
Christmas Ornaments, Collectables, Christmas Trees and Accessories. Outdoor Decor, Nativity Scenes, Garlands and Wreaths….they really have it all! There’s even a huge selcetion of ornaments that can be personalized – just for you (or that special someone on your list) There’s even an ornament with Merry Christmas written in American Sign Language that I’ll be ordering for our Brian!
Geesh! can you tell I love this store?!
Our wonderful new friends at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland want to introduce you to their wonderful ornaments too and are going to send one of you the same whimsical ornaments I was sent! Thank you so much! continue reading »
November 30th, 2011 -- Posted in Christmas Gifts 2011, product reviews |
CheapesTees.com
A few weeks ago, I was approached by the nice folks at CheapesTees.com and asked if I would provide my honest opinion on some of their products. I said yes, made my choices and in just a few days, my two tees arrived here in the lost world.
For my review I chose a
Hanes Long Sleeve Beefy-T T-Shirt and a Gildan Ultra Cotton Shooter T-Shirt
We are a state of tee shirt lovin’ fools here in Florida, and in keeping with our casual lifestyle, EVERYONE has tons of tees in their wardrobes. Whenever I can find nice name brand tees at a good price, I’m totally on board.
My men are very hard on their cloths here in the lost world. They work hard and play harder so their clothes take a beating. It simply doesn’t pay to buy cut rate off brand clothing, in most cases, because they wear out or fall apart after a few wearings and actually cost me more in the long run. That’s no bargain at all!
Both tees that I was sent were very nice first quality tees, they looked great right out of the box, laundered well and have stood up to whatever my son has put them through. I’ve noticed no shrinkage or fading and both my son and myself are very pleased with them.
CheapesTees.com has a very nice selection of name brand tees whose prices, in most cases, beat the prices I find in discount stores! Not only do they carry mens tees, but also have women’s tees kid’s tees, sweats and outerwear, socks, hats and even a very nice offering of organic and eco-friendly clothes! All at rock bottom prices!
One stop shopping, terrific prices and great quality that I don’t even have to leave my desk for! I like that! You will too!
Disclosure: The blog owner (that’s me!) received a product(s) from CheapesTees.com to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation for this post and the opinions contained herein, are my own and reflect my experience with the product(s). Your own may differ.
November 30th, 2011 -- Posted in Christmas Gifts 2011, product reviews |
The holidays are here and as we try not to pack on the pounds, we often forget about one very important part of being healthy: our eyes! This is the time of year where all necessary things, like eyeglasses, fall by the wayside and we make room for things like gifts! What if you could give a unique gift that kills two birds with one stone?
Give the gift of sight with a GlassesUSA.com e-Gift Card! Not only can you give someone the gift of sight, you can save yourself time and money because you’re not running out to the store. A pair of glasses may not seem like an ideal gift but it is a great stocking stuffer for someone who has held off a little too long on getting a new pair of frames.
You should also be thinking about yourself and your vision this holiday season. When was the last time you got a new pair of eye glasses? Buy shopping for glasses online, you’re getting the same quality frames you’d get at your doctor’s office but without the $600 price tag! GlassesUSA has an amazing selection of glasses, some of which start at $38 and come with basic single vision lenses for free.
This holiday season, save more when you buy glasses from GlassesUSA. From now until Sunday (12/4), you can take 30% off any pair of eyeglasses and get free US shipping with the code CYBER2011. Their basic single vision lenses are included but you can also upgrade your lenses for an additional cost. Not ready to buy just yet? Take 10% off your final order any time with the code blog10.
When was the last time you treated yourself to something fashionable and necessary? There’s no better time than this holiday season!
This post was paid for and sponsored by GlassesUSA.com.
November 30th, 2011 -- Posted in labor of love, product reviews |
Have you ever heard the saying, “Only take care of the teeth you want to keep”?
It’s true…but easier said than done, sometimes.
Having healthy teeth and gums is a big part of having a healthy body. Without a regular oral care rountine, we leave ourselves wide open for a myriad of problems including bad breath, gingivitis, periodontitis, dry mouth, and may also increase our risk for diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and pre-term birth.
It takes only minutes a day to brush, floss and rinse, but still, too often, children, (and adults) neglect caring for their teeth.
We as parents, have lots of little tricks up our sleeves. We buy sparkly toothpaste, flavored toothpastes, toothpastes with our kids favorite characters on the label. We buy revolvng head toothbrushes, toothbrushes with our favorite princesses or super heros on them, toothbrushes that light up, heck, I’ve even seen toothbrushes that play music.
We go to extreme lengths…but it all comes down to three simple things – brush, floss and rinse. Those actions, coupled with regular dental checkups will keep us on the road to a lifetime of good oral health!
I’m pretty good about remembering to brush and I’ve used Listerine for years, but flossing? Not so much and unfortunately, the littles often follow suit. That’s why I chose to take the Listerine Oral Care Challenge with my family!
They say that it takes 21 days to establish a habit so beginning tomorrow, we will follow a routine of brushing, flossing and rinsing, together, for three weeks, to start us on the path to better oral care. I hope that ya’ll will follow along and participate too!
Here are a few helpful tips from Listerine to get you started on your challenge:
* Replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Sooner if the bristles are frayed. A worn toothbrush won’t do as good a job of cleaning your teeth. Keep a few extra toothbrushes, like REACH® Fresh & Clean, on hand so you can easily swap the old for the new.
* Visit your dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams. The more you go, the healthier your mouth will be – and those visits will seem less daunting.
* Keep your bottle of LISTERINE® Antiseptic in a visible spot in the bathroom, so you don’t forget to rinse. Rinsing with LISTERINE® twice a day was shown in a clinical study to help reduce 52% more plaque and 21% more gingivitis than brushing and flossing alone. That’s important when you consider that the majority of adult Americans get gingivitis in their lives – and don’t even know it.
* Limit foods that are high in sugar. If you do give in to your sweet tooth, eat sugary foods with meals. Your mouth produces more saliva during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinses food particles from your mouth.
* Limit between-meal snacks. You know the ones. They call to you from the vending machine. If you indulge, chew sugarless gum afterward. It increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and acid that causes tooth decay.
* Maintain a healthy oral care routine. Make it a goal this week to brush and rinse twice in one day, and floss once. We’ll bet that extra 30 seconds of swishing will make your mouth so clean and healthy, you’ll love the feeling. So you’ll do it again the next day.
And a healthier body:
* Exercise regularly, in addition to maintaining a healthy oral care routine. LISTERINE® Antiseptic can help keep your mouth fit. Fit in workouts when you can to keep your body fit too.
* Eat a balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and protein. Avoiding those sugary foods isn’t just good for your teeth, it’s good for your health.
DISCLOSURE: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Listerine and received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
November 30th, 2011 -- Posted in odd holidays |
Are you practicing Safe Hex?
You know what they say – you can never be too rich, too thin, or too computer secure! Have you updated Windows recently? Is your virus software current and up to date? How about your firewall? Do you even know what I’m talking about?
If not then here’s a link to help you on your way to practicing Safe Hex!
Safe Computing Tips
November 29th, 2011 -- Posted in book giveaways, book review, Christmas Gifts 2011, giveaway, product reviews, sweepstakes and contests |
KevinBloomfield.com
home of Mr. Biggs in the City
I was recently blessed with the opportunity to share the awesome children’s book, Mr. Biggs in the City with the littles here in the lost world!
Mr. Biggs is a tenderhearted and fun loving Sasquatch who lives in the woods and likes to watch life in the city from the safety of his forest home. But Mr. Biggs is a curious Sasquatch and one day his curiosity got the better of him and he decides to venture forth and explore the city. The hilarity that ensues is fun for both littles and adults!
Mikayla loved the way his big stinky feet stuck out of his slippers when Mr. Biggs decided to give ballet a go and has tried, several times, to imitate what she thinks he must have looked like during his leaps!
When asked about his favorite part, young Brian simply says “the squirrel” and lets it go at that…but asks for the story to be read time and time again. Our Brian, unlike chatterbox Mikayla, is a man of few words, it would seem!
The illustrations, also by author Kevin Bloomfield, are charming, well done and colorful enough to engage even a young toddler, I think.
Intended or not, Mr. Bigg’s in the City teaches the important lesson that even when folks are different, sometimes very different as in the case of Mr. Biggs, there is always something we can be good at, we just have to keep trying!
Mr. Biggs in the City is geared for children in preschool (about 3 years old) through 3rd grade and apparently there are plans for Mr. Biggs to head to the circus in his next adventure! Follow all upcoming news at www.KevinBloomfield.com
Kevin Bloomfield would like to help introduce your children to the adventures of Mr. Biggs this Christmas and is offering one of you an autographed copy for your own child! Thank you so much!
Just climb aboard the Rafflecopter to enter! continue reading »
November 29th, 2011 -- Posted in product reviews, vegan |
PureFit
a healthy option
As a vegan mom, I know how challenging it can be to make sure I’m providing my body with complete nutrition. With a busy lifestyle juggling every day commitments, the convenience of a trustworthy all natural vegan nutrition bar is something I consider essential.
All too often, in my opinion, ‘energy’ bars contain no nutritional value whatsoever. If I want that kind of energy, frankly, I’ll eat a spoonful of sugar. I want some bang for my food bucks and that means good for me, nutrient dense foods.
As vegans, we know one of our biggest concerns with our dietary preference, is to monitor our protein intake. PureFit’s award winning bars offer an astonishing 18 grams of vegan protein in each bar! Certified kosher and gluten-free, they provide great taste, superior quality and PureFit is commited to helping us toward a healthy lifestyle.
I love being able to tell you about exceptional vegan finds and I consider PureFit bars to be exceptional. I was sent samples of Granola Crunch, Almond Crunch, Berry Almond Crunch, Chocolate Brownie and Peanut Butter Crunch bars. Loved ‘em! Allow me to correct myself and say that I loved the ones I was allowed to taste!
I managed to score the Berry Almond Crunch all for myself, but then my 17 year old walked into the room *sighs* Daniel is not vegan, although he leans heavily towards it, and is an extreme skateboarder. He knows the importance of good nutrition AND he knows what he likes. He likes loves PureFit bars! In fact, the last glimpse I had of the Peanut Butter Crunch bar was as it was being slipped into his pocket as he walked out the door with his long-board!
A couple of varieties were sweeter than the others (Almond crunch and Granola Crunch) but that wasn’t a bad thing, for me, at least. I have a bit of a sweet tooth and really liked the maple-y goodness of the Granola Crunch, especially. The crispy little bits of soy help to balance the sweetness, I think. My favorite was the Berry Almond Crunch and believe me, I’m picky about berry flavored anything…too often they taste icky and artificial (even the so called natural bars) but that wasn’t problem here.
Overall, I’d have to say that these bars rocked the lost world.
We’ll be purchasing more!
PureFit bars are available online – HERE or
please see the handy dandy product locator
to find delicious PureFit bars near you
PureFit is a company that gives back and has donated over 50,000 bars to the US troops, Celiac Support Groups, and many other great causes and organizations. I like that! A lot!
Connect with PureFit on Facebook
Connect with PureFit on Twitter
November 29th, 2011 -- Posted in Christmas Gifts 2011, product reviews |
Dr.’s Remedy Enriched Nail Polish hits it out of the park with their new 2011 JOLLY & JOY holiday collection! I am absolutely blown away by these polishes!
Not only are they the same wonderful non toxic cruelty freeformula we’ve come to expect from this premium line, but these colors must be seen to be believed! They are astonishing – so deep and rich that you feel like you could fall right into them and drown!
The coverage is wonderful…particularly the glitters, carefully applied, I think you could get away with one coat in most cases!
The holiday 2011 JOLLY & JOY collection of Enriched Nail Polish includes:
REVIVE Ruby Red: A shimmer-infused, Wizard of Oz-inspired shade of crimson
PASSION Purple: A bombshell-boysenberry with subtle silver meshed throughout
ESSENTIAL Emerald: A take on the classic tree-and-plant-inspired gem of a shade, with delicate glimmer and unparalleled amounts of glamour
SERENE Silver Glitter: A seasonal sizzler like no other: shine, chic, totally unique in the metallic scene
RESOLUTION Red Glitter: A red-meets-copper spin that’s sequin-look-alike laden with high-shine and sparkle
With the special holiday pricing on Essential Emerald, Resolution Red Glitter and Serene Silver Gltter, (only $14 a bottle while supplies last!) they’d make terrific stocking stuffers for that special someone on your gift list, too!
Are you just DYING for these colors yet? I wish I had a really good camera to capture the subtlties of color for you…they are simply smashing!
The Dr.’s Remedy line of enriched nail polishes are available online at Dr.’s Remedy, along with their other fine nail care products.
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November 29th, 2011 -- Posted in odd holidays |
Grab your parnter and dosey do, swing your ladies to and fro…
This holiday is dedicated to square dancing! Let today be the day you learn to square dance and see for yourself just how fun it is.
Square dance is a folk dance with four couples (eight dancers) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, beginning with Couple 1 facing away from the music and going counter-clockwise until getting to Couple 4. Couples 1 and 3 are known as the head couples, while Couples 2 and 4 are the side couples. Each dance begins and ends each sequence with “sets-in-order” in the square formation. The dance was first described in 17th century England but was also quite common in France and throughout Europe and bears a marked similarity to Scottish Country Dancing. It has become associated with the United States of America due to its historic development in that country. Nineteen US states have designated it as their official state dance.
source – wikipedia
November 28th, 2011 -- Posted in Christmas Gifts 2011, eco friendly, giveaway, product reviews, sweepstakes and contests |
blue sky collection
The fun and vibrantly painted Recycled Metal Pink Gecko will add whimsy to any room! It’s approximately 8″ long and is handmade in Haiti from recycled oil drums. It has a small hook to hang the piece and is painted with a bright colorful pink design in non-fade colors inspired by the local Hatian culture. This item is acquired through Fair Trade which is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in the international trading system.
Every time I look at this bright pink gecko on my wall, I have to smile. We have lots of house geckos here in Florida and I love ‘em. Cute little googly eyed critters! I wanted something in the house to remind me of them and when I saw this little fella on the blue kky website, I was sold. Sure it’s a little quirky to hang a gecko in your house, but then, I AM a little quirky!
The bright tropical colors are so cheerful and fit so perfectly with our laid back Florida lifestyle. It’s important to me that it was acquired through Fair Trade, and that coupled with the fact that it’s made from recycled oil drums means a lot to me. I have him up in a corner near the ceiling of my dining room. He’s not immediately obvious, but sooner or later, he catches everyone’s eye! Just like his living cousins!
It arrived safe, sound and adequately packed but without an excess of packing material. I like that too. I cringe when I open an over packed box that’s filled to the rim with styrofoam peanuts…there are so many greener options available!
My little gecko isn’t the only unique green gift at Blue Sky Collection. I fell in love with this wonderful bowl made from recycled newspapers – this bowl is entirely crafted with recycled newspaper that’s been carefully selected according to color and print for the desired effect. Beautiful, isn’t it?
Or how about this Reclaimed Wood Spice Block? When Domestic Aesthetic found out a nearby window company regularly threw out hundreds of pounds of wood, they used their leftover mahogany to serve up salt and spices. Hand sanded grooves highlight the natural grain of the wood. Talk about a blend of function AND beauty! It will definitely be a conversation starter too!
“Discover blue sky collection’s Eco Friendly boutique where you’ll find unique gifts for those who are living an eco friendly lifestyle! We have eco home products, green products and green living products for the environmentally conscious, eco friendly minded. Blue Sky Collection offers a variety of eco friendly gift ideas for the “green” people in your life or yourself!
The green gift ideas and eco products we offer will make excellent gifts for those who want to make a difference. No matter what the occasion is, our eco friendly home décor and green gifts for children will be sure to bring a smile.
At Blue Sky Collection, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service! We want you to love your eco friendly gift choice and we promise to go above and beyond. Browse our eco store and be sure to check back often, we are continually adding new eco friendly gifts to our collection!”
I really love Blue Sky Collection…they are a delight to work with and their dedication to bringing us the most beautiful and unique gifts is more than appreciated.
The wonderful folks at blue sky collection want to help you feed your inner lizard lover too and are offering one of my readers a chance to win another little gecko, just like mine! How perfect would this be for the budding herpetologist in your life? Trust me..they’ll love it!
Just climb aboard the Rafflecopter to enter! continue reading »
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